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CAME OUT: Scandal and Marry Me actor Dan Bucatinsky had a difficult time coming out in Hollywood, as he thought it would negatively impact his career. He finally embraced his sexuality after the release of his film All Over The Guy in 2001.

WHY WE LOVE HIM: The actor gave an emotional and thoughtful speech about coming out in Hollywood at a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity's Town Hall meeting in 2014.

"In stripping away the layers of masks that hide our true selves, we become more honest," he said. "More open, more authentic. And I would say — I would dare say — better actors. So there is the rub."

These days, Bucatinsky has fully embraced his sexuality, and has even written a book about the experience of adopting a child as an LGBT couple — Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight? ($12.41, Amazon) He and his husband, Don Roos, have two children together.

Patricia Velasquez

CAME OUT: The Venezuelan actress and supermodel decided to come out in her memoir, Straight Walk: A Supermodel's Journey To Finding Her Truth.

WHY WE LOVE HER: Velasquez admits that her daughter inspired her to write the book and to be true to herself. "It's very difficult to face your past, so I put off doing anything like this for a long time," she told Yahoo! Parenting. "But as my daughter started growing up and I was teaching her to be honest and proud, I knew it was time for me to set an example — and that meant facing my truth.

"For me," she continued. "Living life with truth and honesty is the one thing I want to make sure she understands."

Patricia Yurena

Came Out: The former Miss Spain recently came out as gay in a super-sweet Instagram post. The beauty queen shared a photo posing intimately with her girlfriend, Spanish DJ Vanesa Klein. "Romeo and Juliet," the caption read.

Why We Love Her: Yurena, who held the title of Miss Spain in both 2008 and 2013, told Spanish press that she came out because it made her happy to be in a relationship with Klein. "I did it, because I am happy about what's going on in my life," she said.

As the first openly gay national beauty queen, Yurena opens the door for other women to be true to themselves. The Spanish beauty shared her enthusiasm over the positive reception of her news with fans. "I published [the photo] quite naturally and impulsively," she wrote. "I appreciate the outpouring of support and even more rejoice in my happiness. Thank you!"

Emily Rios

Came Out: The Bridge star recently came out as gay in an interview with TCA's FX Day, according to The Huffington Post. The character she plays on the FX show, Adriana Mendez, is also a lesbian. “I’m gay, personally, so being Mexican and a lesbian — this is why I love the character because I deal with the same type of things with my own family,” Emily said.

Why we love her: Rios admitted that being a lesbian and Latino is hard, but not for reasons one might expect: "Mexican-Americans especially — because this generation, we come into America and your family wants to be proud. You want to come to this country and say 'This is what I have to show for it. I brought my family and we’re living our better life.’ For my family, my mom didn’t want me to live a difficult life. She brought me here for a better one so she’s like 'Your coming out… I don’t want this to be this. I want you to be comfortable.'"

She also understands that characters are more than just sexuality, gay or straight, and hopes to depict a rounded character on the show.

"I want it to be an incidental thing, which is what happens in our everyday life," Rios said. "I wanted to make sure the whole lesbian aspect wasn’t this whole coming out story and the character wasn’t going to be made more flamboyant in any sort of way."

Ian Matos, 24

Came out: Top Brazilian diver Ian Matos spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time, citing British diver Tom Daley as an inspiration. "From a young age, I knew I was gay," he said. "But it was here that I got to live my sexuality."

Why we love him: Matos, who was the Brazilian 3-meter champion last year, is likely to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. Although a friend told him to remain in the closet until after the games, Matos stood up for himself and declared that he is out AND proud!

Orlando Cruz

Came out: In October 2012, the Puerto Rican professional boxer decided it was time to reveal to the world a little more about himself. "I've been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself," he told USA Today. The boxer, who declared himself a "proud gay man," recently married his boyfriend Jose Manuel Colon in a ceremony at New York's Central Park.

Why we love him: Although Cruz knew he'd be the first openly gay man in boxing, he wasn't afraid to make history, and remained proud of who he truly is, showing others they shouldn't be afraid either. "I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career," he said.

Michelle Rodriguez

Came out: Fans have speculated for years about the Fast and the Furious star's sexuality. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she confirmed that their assumptions of her possibly being gay were very close to the truth. "Eh, they're not too far off," Rodriguez said. "I've gone both ways. I do as I please. I am too f--king curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks."

Why we love her: Despite rumors constantly flying, Rodriguez has always kept strong and remained true to who she is. She also recently helped open up the conversation about some of the misconceptions others have about bisexual people and how we can discuss the topic as Latinos.

Linda Perry, 48

Came out: Perry started dating The Talk co-host Sara Gilbert in 2011. In April 2013, they were engaged! The Brazilian songwriter planned a musical picnic to pop the question.

Why we love her: The rock musician looks out for her own. Perry is very involved with the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and, through its annual event “An Evening with Women,” helps provide a safe place and support for LGBT youth.

Ricky Martin, 40

Came Out: Following years of speculation and avoiding the uncomfortable question about whether or not he was gay, Ricky Martin came out of the closet in March of 2010, declaring on his personal website that he was a fortunate homosexual man.

Why we love him: The Evita star's coming out story has helped make being gay less taboo. "The power of his coming out narrative, in coming out with pride — it’s been extraordinary," says Jarrett Barrios, the former President of GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

Perez Hilton, 34

Came Out: You might say he was born out of the closet. Perez has always been out and proud!

Why We Love Him: When gay teens all around the country started taking their own lives after being bullied in school, Perez changed the way he wrote about celebrities on his popular website, PerezHilton.com and toned down the bullying. The "Queen of All Media" continues publishing videos preaching tolerance.

Wilson Cruz, 38

Came Out: When the Puerto Rican actor came out to his parents at 19, his mother was shocked and his father threw him out of the house, forcing Cruz to spend the next few months living in his car. However, Wilson and his father later reconciled.

Why We Love Him: Wilson was playing an out and proud character on TV (Rickie Vazquez on My So-Called Life) at a time when there were no other gay Latino characters on TV. There are more gay characters on TV today because of him.

Mondo Guerra, 34

Came Out: The Mexican-American designer was already openly gay when he appeared on the 8th season of Lifetime's Project Runway, but on the show, Mondo came out as HIV Positive (he had been keeping it a secret for 10 years).

Why We Love Him: Mondo is a gay rights advocate who speaks openly about gay rights and HIV/AIDS.

Christian Chavez, 28

Came Out: In 2007, the RBD singer revealed that he was gay and said that he had not been open about his sexuality out of fear of rejection, of criticism, and especially because of his family and the consequences that being gay would bring.

Why We Love Him: Chavez's story of self-acceptance is one that many gay youths can relate to.

Vicci Martinez, 27

Came Out: The Tacoma, Washington native came out to her religious parents as a teenager. Even though it wasn't the easiest thing to do, Vicci says she has no regrets about it. "It was hard for me coming out to my parents," says Martinez, who adds that she'll never again hide who she is. "I’ve already gone through that hurdle and I’m not going to go through it again. I’ve had people say, 'Well, why don’t you just keep them guessing? You can hit all the markets.' No. Especially if you’re with somebody; it’s so disrespectful," she says.

Why We Love Her: The girl’s a rock star—not just because she can jam out to songs like Florence and the Machine's"Dog Days Are Over" and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"—but also because she’s got the guts to live life by her own definition.

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